Statistician and data scientist, Professor Bronwyn Harch, has been appointed interim Queensland Chief Scientist after the retirement of Professor Hugh Possingham in August.
State Science Minister, Meaghan Scanlon said Professor Harch had a long and distinguished career enhancing high quality and impactful research, and driving collaboration with stakeholders, both nationally and internationally.
“Queensland’s huge Energy and Jobs Plan, coupled with significant investments in science and innovation in our latest budget has put the sunshine state in a leading place when it comes to scientific research, commercialisation and the good jobs that come with it,” Minister Scanlon said.
“I’m also excited to have such an accomplished woman in STEM take on the role, because I know it’ll inspire even more young Queensland women to give science a go.
“Professor Harch’s research has focused on agriculture, environmental systems monitoring and modelling in Queensland, across Australia and internationally.”
Professor Harch was previously the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research and Innovation) of The University of Queensland.
She currently serves on several Australian and Queensland boards relating to science and innovation and was elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering in 2015.
Included in Professor Harch’s work has been her input as a member of the independent Scientific Advisory Panel for the Great Barrier Reef, the international Scientific Advisory Committee for the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, the Queensland Government Innovation Advisory Council, CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, and the Queensland Museum Network.
Minister Scanlon said the Government would now undertake an extensive recruitment process to have a permanent Chief Scientist appointed by the end of April 2023.
